Police need more money to fight cyber-crime, finds report

A report from PA Consulting Group, looking at how prepared the UK's law enforcement agencies are to tackle cybercrime, is featured in SC Magazine.

The article reports on the “authoritative new survey” from PA and its key finding that only 30 percent of UK police analysts think they have the skills and tools to effectively combat cyber-crime.

The article describes the report’s finding that the “UK has reached a ‘tipping point' on cyber-crime and tackling the challenges is now urgent.” It goes on to report that: “one-third of the 185 analysts questioned from 48 law enforcement organisations have been unable to share information about the cyber-threat, and just five percent believe they have ‘considerable knowledge' of cyber-crime.”

The article goes on to talk about some of the report’s comments on the survey findings, specifically that they “present a stark warning” and “highlight the immediate challenge of transforming training, tools and ways of working in the new digital landscape”.

The article quotes the report’s comments: “We believe a portion of the National Cyber Security Programme's future funding should be allocated to the 'digital transformation' of police intelligence and analytical functions, and for training the next generation of digital investigators.”

It continues with a warning from the report: “Criminal activity is being transformed by the internet, social media and mobile communications. A high proportion of offenders use this technology to plan traditional crimes. In addition, a range of new crimes are being committed purely in cyberspace. Yet there is a real gap in (police) knowledge and awareness of these changes.”

The article describes how the survey findings have “struck a chord within the UK cybersecurity community.”